Sacred Eroticism: Tantra and Eros in the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA) [Paperback]

Sacred eroticism has been an important if neglected feature of Western esotericism from the early modern era down to the present day. Founded in Romania, the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA) turned sacred esotericism into the central feature of a mass movement, gathering some 30,000 students worldwide. Based on extensive fieldwork and interviews, the book explores the history of MISA from its origins to the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting in detail its ideas about Tantra and eroticism. It also discusses MISAs approach to visual arts and cinema, including some of its members early incursions into the slippery world of adult movies. The study concludes with a look at hostile reactions to MISA, which have led to the issuing of arrest warrants against its founder amid a series of criminal accusations, which the movement rejects as fabricated by opponents.Founded in Romania, the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA) turned sacred esotericism into the central feature of a mass movement, which now counts 30,000 members worldwide.A unique exploration of the largest contemporary mass movement teaching sacred esotericism.A look inside the elusive world of sacred esotericism and sexual magic.There are no other scholarly book-length treatments of MISA (although there are books discussing sexual magic in movements other than MISA). Sacred Eroticism explicates and explores, in rigorous sociological terms, the culture, history, and practices of the Romanian-based new religion, the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA). US